The new bZ5 adopts a crossover fastback silhouette and has a footprint similar to that of the Tesla Model Y
- The Toyota bZ5 is a new electric crossover produced by FAW for the Chinese market.
- It’s equipped with BYD batteries, delivering up to 630 km (392 miles) of CLTC range.
- Pre-sales have already begun in China, with prices starting at just ¥130,000 ($18,000).
If you thought Toyota couldn’t produce an affordable EV, think again. Well, at least if it’s made in China and relies on BYD for its batteries. Toyota is slowly catching up with the EV game, and its latest effort is the bZ5, a new electric crossover fastback developed in China. Manufactured by the FAW-Toyota joint venture, it features BYD-sourced battery packs to power its electric drive.
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The bZ5 is essentially a rebranded version of last year’s bZ3C, which itself evolved from the bZ Sport Crossover Concept introduced back in 2023. By adopting the bZ5 name, Toyota seems to be aiming to position this new EV above the entry-level bZ3 sedan, but just below the upcoming bZ7 flagship.
Design That’s Familiar, But Still Fresh
The exterior design sticks with what Toyota’s been rolling out lately. That includes the usual hammerhead front end, subtle cladding around the wheel arches, a sloping roofline, and full-width taillights. The bZ5 mixes sedan, fastback, and crossover elements, all riding on 21-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, there is a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster mounted close to the windshield, and a floating center console. The front seats can transform into a bed, which comes in handy in combination with the nap mode of the infotainment system.
Other perks include a panoramic sunroof, a 10-speaker JBL audio system, a fragrance dispenser (yes, really), nine airbags, and a full suite of Level 2 ADAS for urban autonomy.
Powertrain and Platform
Measuring 4,780 mm (188.2 inches) long with a wheelbase of 2,880 mm (113.4 inches), the bZ5 shares similar dimensions with many electric crossovers in China, including the Tesla Model Y. The model is built on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, which underpins the entire bZ lineup.
But unlike its siblings, the bZ5 comes with BYD’s Blade LFP battery packs, offering options with capacities of 65.28 kWh and 73.98 kWh. According to Toyota, range estimates for the CLTC cycle are 550 km (342 miles) and 630 km (392 miles) respectively. Need a quick boost? A 30-80% charge can be completed in just 27 minutes.
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Both battery options are combined with the same fully electric powertrain generating 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) of torque.
Affordable, Yet Advanced
The Toyota bZ5 is already available for pre-order in China, with prices starting at ¥130,000 ($18,000), which is roughly the cost of a Chinese-spec Toyota Corolla Cross. In comparison, the Tesla Model Y starts at ¥263,500 ($36,500) in the same market, making the bZ5 an attractive (and much more affordable) option for those looking to step into the world of electric crossovers.
